One of the first things I noticed about this play, as we were reading it in class, was the excessive passion the characters displayed. They never missed an opportunity to kiss someone, or display their affection and gratitude in some way. There is also a lot of crying. Is this just something in the Russian culture that I wasn't aware of, how they openly show their emotions? Another example of this passionate emotion that stood out to me was when Madame Ranevsky began kissing the furniture. Even if episodes such as this show her deep connection to the orchard, it still seems odd to me. For her to show such affection to inanimate objects makes the passion in this book very obvious. Did anyone else notice the constant kissing and crying? What purpose do you think this serves for the play so far? - kec-c Feb 28, 2008
That is very true, kec, traditionally Russian people show a lot of emotions. Sometimes it is very excessive as we all noticed in the first few pages of the play. This display of emotions is even stronger between family members. They had not seen each other for quite sometime so it was only natural to show affection. However, as for the kissing of furniture, I think that was Chekov's way of illustrating in a dramatic way, how much Madame Ranevsky missed and loved her home. I think their attitude toward their home suggests just how important it is to them. Further, I think it forshadows the sadness they will face if they have to sell their home or orchard. - KSm-c Feb 28, 2008
I like the fact that characters express their emotions so openly (even if to an extreme at times). It adds depth to the play because as readers, we get a sense of these characters' personalities through their feelings and reactions.
Personally, I am drawn to Madame Ranevsky; she especially shows her emotions upon returning home after 5 years. As KSm mentioned, it was only natural that she missed her home. I can relate to Ranevsky because she is nostalgic (and so am I!). She pictured when she was a little girl then cried, saying "I am like a little girl still" (3). She is overcome with memories and joy. Her passion is evident: she kisses her daughters repeatedly, laughs, and declares her love for her country (7). Ranevsky is a lively character to say the least (she seems quite merry, like when she jumped up and down and kissed her beloved cupboard! [8]). I cannot wait to learn more about her as the play develops! - AWr-c Feb 28, 2008
You know what, I love their displays of affection for one another, and I definietly do not believe it is excessive. Just because our culture tells us that it is abnormal does not mean we are right. Sometimes I just get in this mood where I just want to hug and kiss everyone I encounter, but society tell me, "Don't do that Caitlin . . .that's weird." And so I repress my desire to physically express my joy and love for the world and everyone in it. Sad--I know. Does anyone else hope that this book might teach us something about showing our emotions a little more? About being a little more passionate? - cdu-c Feb 28, 2008
The back of the Dover Thrift Edition actually offers some clarification on this matter. First off, the dramatic expressions are a way of playing up the characters personalities, for better or for worse. "Showcase for Chekhov's acute observations of his characters' fiobles and for quizzical ruminations on the approaching dissolution of the world of the Russian aristocracy and life as it was lived on their great country estates." So, it serves as an aid to the humor of the play, but is Anton Chekhov poking fun of these people? Could The Cherry Orchard be considered a satire? I think it very well may be. I personally like the dramtic flair, however. Although the incessant crying or kissing or hugging, or even rubbing and talking to a table may seem a little bit extreme and much for our liking, it sure makes a point and helps us understand what the characters are intending to say. This play is actual fairly easy to understand and grasp the hints as to what is occuring and has occured in the past between these characters. We, in our world today, would never talk and act in such a way normally, but in some cultures this overdramatic style may be expected. It's all a matter of one's sense of humor and ability to accept dialogue out of our "box," so to speak. My opinion on this play, although I know it's been highly critisized is so far so good. It's more lighthearted than some of our other pieces of literature this year. Does everyone else like it? - AGe-c Feb 28, 2008
I found the overdisplay of emotions to be a comical feature of this story--everyone was really intense about their love for everything. Gayef rambled on about how amazing and virtuous the cupboards were and Ranevsky, going on about every room in the house and the furniture. I saw this to be a part of their materialistic lifestyle; they were excessively attached to inanimate objects because they are used to having so much and the thought of losing it all is heartbreaking for them, yet at the same time it's funny because they are so damn attached. They are always weeping and showing their emotions so openly over everything they feel; it is quite passionate. I think it was mostly surprising because there are few people who would talk about the virtues of a cupboard, although people probably do get emotional over the nursery that their child grew up in, like Ranevsky did with Anya's nursery, because her daughter grew up there and now she is older and those memories of her life may be gone, but it still seems largely dramatic. - dru-c Mar 6, 2008
Is it really a part of Russian culture? I had no idea. When I was noticing it i thought it was just a way of emphasizing certain things. Like character relationships and when they kiss inanimate objects I thought that was to empahsize how they felt to the meanings behind the objects. Maybe DRu has a point too. The over dramatic kissing and intimacy with silly things may have been to add some humor but i think the passion has more point than just comedy. The passion has obviously grabbed our attention, so it is doing its job. I think it is to draw our attention and have us focus on that certain object or that certain character. Objects can cause of spring up of many memories and emotions so I am not really surprised that they are so attached to just things. And people are obvious becuase people's realtionships can cause high emotion also. I think that the passion is a good way to emphasize what the author wants emphasized. And i think it's funny too so i enjoy the multitude of kisses flying around.- JJa-c Mar 8, 2008
I, too, noticed this when I began to read. I was really wondering about the large amount of crying that had been going on. At first I wondered if the character was crying out in a loud voice rather than full-blown tears and sobbing crying, but Br. Tom corrected me, saying that it was the way Chekhov had intended it to be. One of my first thoughts was that he play was way too dramatic, but then again, it is a play. Towards the middle, I was seriously thinking about how easy it was for these characters to become so riled up at petty instances that it almost became annoying. I understood Madam Ranevsky being upset about losing the estate, but some of their actions were completely over-the-top dramatic. After a while I found a lot of their actions to be quite amusing which also gave the storyline a more interesting quality for me, personally. - bzw-c Mar 9, 2008
I wrote my character analysis on Barbara, and while looking through the play again, I noticed that she only had two emotions: anger and sadness. She was constantly either yelling at someone or crying her eyes out, and this, to me, was a bit unrealistic. I don't think that it is plausible for a person to constantly be going back and forth between the emotional extremes. I can understand having an emotional tie to family members or even the furniture, but does that link constantly persuade you to go back and forth on an emotional pendulum? While it may have been amusing for some of you, I personally found it exhausting even thinking about playing a character like that who was constantly on the emotional roller coaster. It just doesn't seem natural to me for people to be that edgy. - kkr-c Mar 12, 2008
I agree that people are ususally not that edgy. I can totally see where you are coming from kkr because you are an actress. I believe it would be difficult for most people to be outraged and then go in a corner a cry. However, I find that most of the time when I get angry, I just end in tears. So, maybe this is sort of what Barbara is going through. She is frustrated beyond belief that house she worked to preserve is not theirs anymore, the man she "loved" would not ask her for her hand in marriage, and her mother left her to run off with random, selfish man in Paris while she was stuck being forced to take up a job. Barbara has a right to her feelings and is stepped on during the entire play. - kva-c Mar 13, 2008
Every character in this play seems to be quite emotional. It never seemed like there was a normal point in the play or an equilibrium where everyone was just fine how they were. Someone was always either crying or angry with someone else. We have to remember that these plays aren't real life and the author can do whatever he or she wants to make a story out of the characters and their lives. It doesn't necessarily have to be believable or able to fit into real life. That's what makes plays imaginative and creative. We always see a character that's a little wacky or out there. The thing is is that The Cherry Orchard is filled with characters like this. At some points I thought it was a bit much. Emotions, moodswings, and affection were everywhere in the play. However, this ment that there was never really a dull moment because someone was always expressing emotion, no one had a personality like a wet rag. Even though it was a bit much at times, I would rather have people showing emotion than showing absolutely nothing.- aja-c Mar 13, 2008
That's not really passion though, that's just... well, actually, I don't see anything there other than natural stuff, maybe a little outgoing personality with kissing furniture, but the rest, kissing each other, affection, and crying should all be expected, especially with so much going on between coming back to a house, losing it, and dealing with possible marriages, right? I know someone else was saying that the laughing between the women in the movie seemed a little completely over the top. I'm not quite sure I buy that, haven't you ever met those ladies that laugh hysterically all the time? I know I have, nothing out of the ordinary, that's just them being.. themselves. - AZU-C Mar 13, 2008
That is very true, kec, traditionally Russian people show a lot of emotions. Sometimes it is very excessive as we all noticed in the first few pages of the play. This display of emotions is even stronger between family members. They had not seen each other for quite sometime so it was only natural to show affection. However, as for the kissing of furniture, I think that was Chekov's way of illustrating in a dramatic way, how much Madame Ranevsky missed and loved her home. I think their attitude toward their home suggests just how important it is to them. Further, I think it forshadows the sadness they will face if they have to sell their home or orchard.
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I like the fact that characters express their emotions so openly (even if to an extreme at times). It adds depth to the play because as readers, we get a sense of these characters' personalities through their feelings and reactions.
Personally, I am drawn to Madame Ranevsky; she especially shows her emotions upon returning home after 5 years. As KSm mentioned, it was only natural that she missed her home. I can relate to Ranevsky because she is nostalgic (and so am I!). She pictured when she was a little girl then cried, saying "I am like a little girl still" (3). She is overcome with memories and joy. Her passion is evident: she kisses her daughters repeatedly, laughs, and declares her love for her country (7). Ranevsky is a lively character to say the least (she seems quite merry, like when she jumped up and down and kissed her beloved cupboard! [8]). I cannot wait to learn more about her as the play develops! -
You know what, I love their displays of affection for one another, and I definietly do not believe it is excessive. Just because our culture tells us that it is abnormal does not mean we are right. Sometimes I just get in this mood where I just want to hug and kiss everyone I encounter, but society tell me, "Don't do that Caitlin . . .that's weird." And so I repress my desire to physically express my joy and love for the world and everyone in it. Sad--I know. Does anyone else hope that this book might teach us something about showing our emotions a little more? About being a little more passionate? -
The back of the Dover Thrift Edition actually offers some clarification on this matter. First off, the dramatic expressions are a way of playing up the characters personalities, for better or for worse. "Showcase for Chekhov's acute observations of his characters' fiobles and for quizzical ruminations on the approaching dissolution of the world of the Russian aristocracy and life as it was lived on their great country estates." So, it serves as an aid to the humor of the play, but is Anton Chekhov poking fun of these people? Could The Cherry Orchard be considered a satire? I think it very well may be. I personally like the dramtic flair, however. Although the incessant crying or kissing or hugging, or even rubbing and talking to a table may seem a little bit extreme and much for our liking, it sure makes a point and helps us understand what the characters are intending to say. This play is actual fairly easy to understand and grasp the hints as to what is occuring and has occured in the past between these characters. We, in our world today, would never talk and act in such a way normally, but in some cultures this overdramatic style may be expected. It's all a matter of one's sense of humor and ability to accept dialogue out of our "box," so to speak. My opinion on this play, although I know it's been highly critisized is so far so good. It's more lighthearted than some of our other pieces of literature this year. Does everyone else like it? -
I found the overdisplay of emotions to be a comical feature of this story--everyone was really intense about their love for everything. Gayef rambled on about how amazing and virtuous the cupboards were and Ranevsky, going on about every room in the house and the furniture. I saw this to be a part of their materialistic lifestyle; they were excessively attached to inanimate objects because they are used to having so much and the thought of losing it all is heartbreaking for them, yet at the same time it's funny because they are so damn attached. They are always weeping and showing their emotions so openly over everything they feel; it is quite passionate. I think it was mostly surprising because there are few people who would talk about the virtues of a cupboard, although people probably do get emotional over the nursery that their child grew up in, like Ranevsky did with Anya's nursery, because her daughter grew up there and now she is older and those memories of her life may be gone, but it still seems largely dramatic. -
Is it really a part of Russian culture? I had no idea. When I was noticing it i thought it was just a way of emphasizing certain things. Like character relationships and when they kiss inanimate objects I thought that was to empahsize how they felt to the meanings behind the objects. Maybe DRu has a point too. The over dramatic kissing and intimacy with silly things may have been to add some humor but i think the passion has more point than just comedy. The passion has obviously grabbed our attention, so it is doing its job. I think it is to draw our attention and have us focus on that certain object or that certain character. Objects can cause of spring up of many memories and emotions so I am not really surprised that they are so attached to just things. And people are obvious becuase people's realtionships can cause high emotion also. I think that the passion is a good way to emphasize what the author wants emphasized. And i think it's funny too so i enjoy the multitude of kisses flying around.-
I, too, noticed this when I began to read. I was really wondering about the large amount of crying that had been going on. At first I wondered if the character was crying out in a loud voice rather than full-blown tears and sobbing crying, but Br. Tom corrected me, saying that it was the way Chekhov had intended it to be. One of my first thoughts was that he play was way too dramatic, but then again, it is a play. Towards the middle, I was seriously thinking about how easy it was for these characters to become so riled up at petty instances that it almost became annoying. I understood Madam Ranevsky being upset about losing the estate, but some of their actions were completely over-the-top dramatic. After a while I found a lot of their actions to be quite amusing which also gave the storyline a more interesting quality for me, personally. -
I wrote my character analysis on Barbara, and while looking through the play again, I noticed that she only had two emotions: anger and sadness. She was constantly either yelling at someone or crying her eyes out, and this, to me, was a bit unrealistic. I don't think that it is plausible for a person to constantly be going back and forth between the emotional extremes. I can understand having an emotional tie to family members or even the furniture, but does that link constantly persuade you to go back and forth on an emotional pendulum? While it may have been amusing for some of you, I personally found it exhausting even thinking about playing a character like that who was constantly on the emotional roller coaster. It just doesn't seem natural to me for people to be that edgy.
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I agree that people are ususally not that edgy. I can totally see where you are coming from kkr because you are an actress. I believe it would be difficult for most people to be outraged and then go in a corner a cry. However, I find that most of the time when I get angry, I just end in tears. So, maybe this is sort of what Barbara is going through. She is frustrated beyond belief that house she worked to preserve is not theirs anymore, the man she "loved" would not ask her for her hand in marriage, and her mother left her to run off with random, selfish man in Paris while she was stuck being forced to take up a job. Barbara has a right to her feelings and is stepped on during the entire play.
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Every character in this play seems to be quite emotional. It never seemed like there was a normal point in the play or an equilibrium where everyone was just fine how they were. Someone was always either crying or angry with someone else. We have to remember that these plays aren't real life and the author can do whatever he or she wants to make a story out of the characters and their lives. It doesn't necessarily have to be believable or able to fit into real life. That's what makes plays imaginative and creative. We always see a character that's a little wacky or out there. The thing is is that The Cherry Orchard is filled with characters like this. At some points I thought it was a bit much. Emotions, moodswings, and affection were everywhere in the play. However, this ment that there was never really a dull moment because someone was always expressing emotion, no one had a personality like a wet rag. Even though it was a bit much at times, I would rather have people showing emotion than showing absolutely nothing.-
That's not really passion though, that's just... well, actually, I don't see anything there other than natural stuff, maybe a little outgoing personality with kissing furniture, but the rest, kissing each other, affection, and crying should all be expected, especially with so much going on between coming back to a house, losing it, and dealing with possible marriages, right? I know someone else was saying that the laughing between the women in the movie seemed a little completely over the top. I'm not quite sure I buy that, haven't you ever met those ladies that laugh hysterically all the time? I know I have, nothing out of the ordinary, that's just them being.. themselves. -